After a 2+ year battle to get reliable service, being told that my line will not support speeds much faster than 2Mb/sec and the current round of issues where my TV and BluRay can't get on the net, I really had enough of C&W. Flow wanted to extract $4,000 + tax extra (and non refundable) if I got the Arris 54g modem and the backchat I got from customer service while trying to sign up (I wasn't supposed to ask questions evidently) meant they really did not want my business. I was called by Digi and opted to signup for their WiMax based broadband service. Touted up to 10Mb/sec, it's a far cry from my current 2Mb/sec C&W ADSL.
Well, I went and did it!
I got the DigiCel WiMax CPE modem (OEM'd by ZTE) yesterday.
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4 port Ethernet switch, WiFi (b/g) and 2 VOIP ports are built in.
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With a weak signal( 1 bar), courtesy of lots of concrete, it was already faster than my ADSL.
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... and here is C&W
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TV loaded up its internet channels and streamed video with no stutters or waits whatsoever.
Data rates shot up when I relocated and re-pointed for better (2 bar) signal.
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... and hopefully it will continue like this as the network becomes more populated.
When i get the opportunity to test further, I will tell you how it performs with 3 signal bars, interference and attenuation (trees and rain).
Now for the "bad" news:
1. WiFi is limited to 4 simultaneous clients! This needs to get this addressed.
Two laptops, a media player and wireless printer and its all done! Digi, please don't say that I should go get a wireless router if I want more connectivity - this is a firmware implemented limitation. If you must limit, allow for at least 8 WiFi connections.
2. The modem has no dynamic DNS client. I am used to being able to get back to home to access my servers.
3. No NAT/PAT. It has NAT and port forwarding. I am used to the Zhone modem being able to route packets coming in from port X to a particular IP's port Y, a step above simple port forwarding. Not a biggie but a very nice to have.
4. It's not an ugly box but the DigiCel signature red is a bit overbearing. The logo on the front is sufficient.
Digi, nice offering and I wish you well but please talk to ZTE. Let them make the necessary firmware changes so the box can really shine (and give me a free year's service for the suggestion ) - roll that out via the network. Firmware can't fix the red so ask ZTE to make the units in black and white from now on.